ATP: Stan Wawrinka with wildcard in Eastbourne against Andy Murray

Stan Wawrinka has received a wildcard from the tournament directors in Eastbourne. The Swiss will prepare for the lawn showdown in Wimbledon in the United Kingdom. And starts with Andy Murray.

The three-time major winner Wawrinka slowly sniffs higher tour air again. After a disappointing start to 2018 and a long injury break, the Swiss is getting better and better.

The former third in the world ranking showed himself in an improved form at the grass court tournament at London’s Queen´s Club and collected match practice. The strong American Sam Querrey was still a size too big and prevailed against Wawrinka in three sets.

To get in better shape before the big showdown in Wimbledon, “Stanimal” receives a wildcard for the preparation tournament in Eastbourne. Wawrinka announced its participation in the United Kingdom at short notice. So did Andy Murray, who accepted the last wild card for Eastbourne. And the luck of the draw was not good for the two convalescent major winners: Murray and Wawrinka were placed against each other in the tableau. And in round two, Kyle Edmund, the number two of the tournament, could wait.

“I’m very happy with the way I moved and played in Queen´s,” Wawrinka explained before the start in Eastbourne.

Wawrinka is looking forward to the tournament in England and wants to collect even more match practice for the big showdown, explained the Swiss. “It is difficult to start from zero to 100 and not to have played any matches. I’m sure that I’m in top physical shape and I’m surprised how far I can go,” says Stan the man.

Last year’s winner Novak Djokovic will also compete with a wildcard and go on mission to defend the title. Top players such as Denis Shapovalov or John Isner also join in.

The men’s single tableau in Eastbourne